Interlude: Chronicles of a Young Woman's Tragedy

If the world burns, so be it. Me and the kid will roast some marshmallows.

— Harry Dresden, The Dresden Files

The train whistle pierced the air, loud and clear over the muttering and shuffling of the crowd. Despite her lack of uniform, old habits ruled, and Tanya found herself saluting.

"Farewell, 1st Lieutenant Serebryakov," Tanya said, a smile playing on her lips. "I'm glad we made it through together."

"Thank you, Colonel Degurechaff," Visha responded, saluting seriously as well. Then she ruined it by smiling and jerking forward to wrap Tanya in a warm embrace. "I'll miss you. I know it's crazy, but...we've been through so much and spent so much time together, ma'am. I...well, I'm glad you've survived. I wish we could stay together, but…"

"But if the Entente or any of the other players find me before I arrive in the US, I'll be tried for war crimes and executed," Tanya finished stiffly, awkwardly patting Visha on the back. This emotional outburst was most unprofessional of her. "Perhaps one day you can visit me in the US. I'm told it's nice there."

Personally, Tanya was thrilled to be able to go and live in the Unified States. In her old world, they had been a great and peaceful country. True, when the world exploded again in 20 years they would become one of the main combatants, but it was better than remaining on this powderkeg of a continent. She'd just have to make sure to get Visha to join her before it went off. It shouldn't be hard to convince her new superiors that Visha was a valuable asset.

"Let's get going," one of her minders said, his German faintly accented.

Tanya wasn't going to argue, and she and Visha separated. Was the other girl crying? Really? What was the point? Even if Tanya felt a strange pain in her chest. Shame, she always seemed to feel something like this in odd moments, like when she'd had to bury her own soldiers. But this wasn't like that.

"Without you, I wouldn't have made it through, Colonel," Visha softly spoke, wiping away a tear and smiling. "Thank you, and God Bless you."

"I doubt that," Tanya snorted, making a face. "He and I don't seem to get along very well. Besides, now that I don't need him to fight, what would be the point? He's just another pompous old man."

Just as Tanya began to turn away, a familiar sensation ran over her body as sound ceased, and the world ground to a halt.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Tanya looked around. "I know you're there. Look, I beat Mary Sue. If you're going to pitch another fit I still won't bow down and worship you, I don't know what to tell you. You're hardly worthy of my respect and worship, even if you are a god."

"You survived," the deep, reverberating voice thundered. Tanya didn't wince, she was used to these little tantrums by now. "And yet, you refuse to give obeisance despite surviving only through my power and mercy."

"Oh please. You tried to kill me at every turn. Sure, I tapped into your power now and then, but I doubt that was by your own designs. You're nothing but a big, malevolent battery." Tanya laughed, looking around absently to see if she could locate the source of the voice. "Go bother Visha. She likes you, for some reason."

"I think I shall," Visha's voice said.

Tanya's head snapped around, and she sucked in a horrified breath.

Visha's face smiled at her, eyes glowing yellow. "I shall need a new champion now, foolish atheist. Your friend should do nicely, no? Perhaps she shall be the perfect tool to stir up division once more. If things get too peaceful, people may yet again forget why they need me after all."

"NO!" Tanya snarled, taking half a step towards Being X. "Get out of her! You can't have her! I won't allow you! She's my subordinate! My responsibility! My...my friend!"

"She is my creation first and foremost however, just like the rest of these pitiful creatures," Being X chuckled, and effortlessly pushed Tanya away. "You won't even kill her like Mary Sue. Such a strong shield, a loved one's body. Why, to make it even sweeter, I'm certain I could even use this body to end you effortlessly. She's quite strong."

"YOU BASTARD!" Tanya snarled again, and leapt at Visha even as the world snapped back into motion.

Visha dodged, her eyes still glowing yellow with power. "God is great. And worthy of praise. You should have learned that lesson already, atheist. Now, I shall spend my life in service to our Lord, and his bountiful mercies."

"No!" Tanya wailed, stumbling to her knees. She suddenly kowtowed, prostrating herself before Being X's new avatar. "You win! You win! I was wrong! I'll worship you! You're god, the greatest god! I, Tanya Von Degurechaff am as nothing before the might of Being X, the one true god of this world!"

"It's too late, Tanya the Evil."

Tanya looked up in horror as Visha's face smiled down at her. It wasn't Visha's smile. It could never be Visha's smile. Her smile was warm, friendly, kind. Even when Tanya didn't understand how Visha could smile, she always did. This….this MOCKERY, was cold. Cruel. Like Mary Sue's had been before Tanya had killed her.

"You are cast out, into outer darkness. Perhaps you shall live a long life. Perhaps this train shall crash, and you and everyone aboard shall perish. Or maybe your ship shall sink. It matters not. When you die, you are mine, as with everything else. And then, you shall end again. And Again. Until it amuses me no longer. But, for as long as you live, know that the one person you called friend is now your greatest enemy, for Visha Serebryakov is still surely my creature and creation. Your friend is dead. Rejoice."

And then, Being X turned away, walking off into the crowd. Tanya stood, tried to run after her, tried to plead further, to get Visha back, somehow. But her minders grabbed her, and hauled her on to the train. She didn't fight it. How could she? Despite the long years, it seemed she was still a pathetic little girl. What was the point to it all? They had taken her weapons; she didn't even have a knife.

And now, Being X had taken Visha.

She'd watched her troops die, one by one. Watched them all picked off as the brutal heel of the Entente, Republic, Commonwealth, Federation, and finally and cruelly, the US ground them to dust. She'd tried to stay alive, to follow orders, and to help as many of her subordinates survive as she could.

But Visha had been the only one left.

And now, she was gone too.

Tanya was brought to a private train compartment by her two minders. She slumped in her too large seat, her legs dangling above the swaying floor of the train. She could nearly reach now, but even at 15 she wasn't very tall, just over 1.5 meters. She felt small and helpless, listless and defeated. They were gone. All of them. Dead, or worse. And sooner or later, she would be too.

"Feeling a bit down, are we?"

Tanya looked up, startled by the smooth, silky voice from nowhere. She found herself looking at her own reflection in the red tinted glasses of the man across from her. She glanced at her two minders, but they both seemed fast asleep, instantly making her guard rise higher.

"Oh, don't worry, they won't bother us. They're just napping. For now," the man chuckled, leaning back and spreading his arms out over the back of his seat as he crossed one leg over the other. He grinned, and the sight made Tanya flinch. His teeth were pointed to razor sharp fangs, every last one of them.

"Who are you?" Tanya hissed, reaching for her minder's jacket to where she knew the pistol would be kept. This...thing...was dressed all in red, with a wide brimmed cap, long overcoat, and tie. A hit of a white waistcoat peaked out of his collar, and his boots were neatly polished and dark black.

"Oh, I think you know, or at least have some ideas." the man chuckled. He reached into his jacket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and tapping one out. "Smoke?"

"No. It's an unsightly habit. I would prefer it if you didn't in my company." Tanya said crisply.

"Ha! Very well. I suppose I can wait." He tucked the cigarettes away again. "So. Your friend is gone. Taken by the very god who was supposed to protect her."

"How do you know that?" Tanya demanded. But she knew. There was only one person this could be.

"I keep tabs on what my opposites are up to," The Devil chuckled. "But, to make things clear...my card." He snapped a white gloved hand, and a business card appeared with scarlet lettering. He handed it over to Tanya, who studied it carefully.

Alucard - Your Friend in Low Places

Head of Horror Division

"Cute," Tanya said flatly. She kept the card in her hand, looking up and studying this Alucard. "Alright. I'm no stranger to faustian bargains. I suppose my soul isn't worth much right now, since I'm doomed already no matter what I do. Being X has made that very clear. So. What do I have to do? Sign something? Whatever it is, I'll do it. Just as long as you save Visha."

"Oh, no, I'm afraid I can't do that," Alucard sighed in apparent regret. "You see, I'm forbidden from interfering directly. I can just give things a nudge here and there."

"Then what use are you?!" Tanya snapped. "I can't free Visha, Being X is too powerful! The only way I know to drive him out is to kill the host, and even that won't stop him for long! He'll just come back, possessing a new victim. But what's the point? He has Visha."

"You're right. In this world, Being X's power is near absolute. But, you already know how to defeat him. Or rather, you know someone who can. Even if it's not me," Alucard said, leaning forward and folding his fingers together. "All I need is your permission to...jog your memory, so to speak."

"What are you blabbering about?" Tanya demanded, scowling in irritation. "If you can do something to help me, do it! I'll pay your price, sell you my soul or-"

Alucard reached out one finger to her forehead. "Remember."

Memories flooded into Tanya, causing her to reel and clutch at her head. Another world. Not this one, not Japan...somewhere else. Somewhere that was and wasn't reality. Another goddess, a blue haired moron that spread chaos and destruction in her wake, worse in some ways even than Being X.

And...and her friend. If one could call an undead overlord a friend. Ainz Ooal Gown.

"I...what…?" Tanya gasped, blinking back tears as the memories flitted through her head, her temples throbbing.

"A little experiment between the gods. They used you and yours like puppets. Just like Being X. You remember now?" Alucard prompted.

Slowly, Tanya raised her head, then nodded. "I do. But...how does this help me? Momonga, Ainz...whatever name he uses...he's in another world. I can't get there, or contact him."

"Ah. But there's where I come in! There's also one other thing I can do for you, Ms. Degurechaff." Alucard reached into his jacket, and pulled out a rolled parchment, sealed with red wax. He smiled, showing his rows of fangs again. "A spell. You already have the mana to cast it. The cost is steep, but, well, you did say you were willing to do anything to get Visha back. Were you serious about that?"

"Yes," Tanya said, taking the parchment. She broke the seal, unrolling the scroll, her eyes scanning it, then grimaced. "Human sacrifice? Really? Wouldn't animals be just as effective?"

But when she looked up, Alucard was gone, with no sign aside from the parchment in Tanya's hands and the regained memories in her mind that he had ever been there.

She looked at her minders, who were beginning to stir, and sighed. "Sorry boys. Looks like we won't be going to the US after all."

They didn't get a chance to make much of a noise. Tanya was experienced in quiet kills after all, and a couple of groggy security goons were no match for the Devil of the Rhine.

She had just enough space to draw the spell circle on the floor of their compartment. It was messy, and by the end of it she was covered in more blood than she actually used, but she had to do this. It had to work. She muttered the incantation, cut her own palm, and pressed it to the center of the circle.

"I call thee forth, from beyond space, beyond time! By thy name I summon thee! Ainz Ooal Gown!"

For a moment, nothing happened, and Tanya's blood ran cold. Had she been tricked again? But then, the circle glowed a dark red, rising up from the floor. A figure in dark robes with a skeletal face appeared as the light was sucked from the compartment and within her mind, she heard a familiar voice.

Who dares summon the Lord of the Tomb?

"Ainz. Do you remember me? I am Colonel Tanya Von Degurechaff. We...we went to school together in...that place."

Tanya... Yes. Yes, I do remember you. How did you contact me? Are you within the New World? I don't recognize this kind of magic.

Licking her lips, Tanya tasted and ignored the familiar tang of iron and salt. "I need your help. Visha...she's been taken by Being X. He's...well, he's a god, I think. Someone named Alucard gave me this spell, told me you could help me."

Ah. The King In Red, I take it? Never mind. A god you say? Not Aqua?

"No. Not her. I don't know where she is, the useless fool. Being X is far more dangerous. He...he's possessed Visha. I don't know how to get her free."

I see. Well. Perhaps I can help you with that. I have something of a vendetta against the gods myself. They threaten my rule. One of them invaded my realm, attempting to slay me and my subjects. In turn, I killed them. I'm currently in Belzerg, one of Aqua's worlds. She's not here, however.

"What about what's-his-name? Kazuma, and the others, Megumin, Darkness, Yunyun, Chris. Those fools."

Dead. Aqua failed to appear, else she would be as well.

"I see." Tanya considered this, then pushed it aside. Kazuma and his ilk might not have deserved death, but that wasn't important right now. She had bigger concerns. "Can you free Visha?"

Mayhaps. I shall send an envoy to you to assess the situation. Do you recall Demiurge?

"Yes, of course. I remember...most of that time we were together. Not everything. Fragments. But I remember you and your servants. Demiurge was smart, and effective. I'd appreciate any help he can give me."

Very well. It may take some time. Keep the spell active until he arrives.

Tanya gritted her teeth. "That's going to be hard. This train ride is only a few hours long, and I took time getting the circle right. The bodies here will start to stink too, as well. They'll try and open the compartment."

I see. Do what you can then. If you have to move, open another link as soon as possible.

Ainz's presence faded from Tanya's mind, and she breathed out a sigh. She hadn't gone insane. At least the deaths of her comrades and these nameless guards hadn't been in vain. True, the US had been her enemy, supplying the Republic and the Federation against the Empire. But she still hated pointless death. Her own most of all.

Soon though, she had no time for stray thoughts, the situation becoming uncomfortable. She had to continually feed the spell mana, and her legs were growing cramped as she was forced to remain in a squatting position to keep the spell active, to say nothing of the blood annoyingly dripping on her ankles.

Then the pounding on the door came. "What's going on here? We haven't received your check in verifications! Hey, wait, is that blood leaking into the hall? Open up in there!"

"Sorry, I cut myself a bit on the frame." Tanya said in her sweetest voice. "It's OK, we bandaged it up, I'm fine!"

"What? There's too much blood for a little cut! Open up at once!"

Damnation. Tanya didn't reply. There was more banging and swearing, then shouting. Soon something big and heavy thudded into the door; she'd sealed it with the spell, so it wouldn't be easy to bring down, but her mana reserves were getting low.

Then they got an axe. Against repeated blows, Tanya's spell finally failed. She gasped and let out a cry of pain.

"My God! What the hell is this!? There's blood everywhere! Break down the door!"

Tanya squeezed her eyes shut. She'd have to cancel the spell. She still had the two pistols. She would fight her way free, then-

Suddenly, the spell grew in power, and Tanya slumped down in sudden exhaustion as power drained from her. Out of the circle, a bubble of darkness formed, growing and swelling until it retracted into a familiar, humanoid shape. A man in spectacles and a pinstripe suit, with slicked back hair and newly blacked shoes. Though this man had long, pointed ears, talons on the end of his fingers, shark-like teeth, and a long metallic scorpion's tail.

"Ah. A new world," Demiurge said in his smooth sophisticated tone, adjusting his suit. He frowned as the door shattered. "Friends of yours?"

"Get them!" a railway officer shouted, lowering a pistol and opening fire.

The bullet impacted Demiurge's chest, and Tanya let out a horrified groan. All for nothing.

Expect that Demiurge only frowned, glancing down at the hole in his cravat. "I liked this suit. Do you have any idea how expensive dragonmoth silk is?"

"What...what are you?" the officer gasped. He readied the pistol again, preparing to fire.

Demiurge's tail darted out in an instant, skewering him through the chest in a spray of gore. "One moment. I'll deal with these gentlemen."

Tanya could only slump in the pool of blood, exhausted of her mana as the screams sounded from outside.

"Sorry about the wait." Demiurge said a few minutes later, adjusting his glasses as he stepped back into the compartment. "There were quite a few of them. They're also currently trying to stop this vehicle. I take it we don't want to attract that sort of attention? These humans are low level, but too many can still be a nuisance."

"Need...need to save Visha," Tanya slurred.

"I see. Well then. It seems this entire conveyance is about to suffer an unfortunate accident. Come."

Demiurge easily picked Tanya up in his arms, then ripped a hole in the side of the train car with his tail. With a giant leap, the two were soaring into the sky. A moment later, there was a deafening explosion below them as the engine and accompanying cars exploded in a massive ball of flame.

"Mechanical devices are always so fascinating. They don't run on magic at all. That has interesting tactical applications," Demiurge mused as they traveled away from the newly formed crater.. He looked around. "Ah, there. That forest looks like a good place to hunker down for a bit."

Tanya could only watch as they fell out of the sky into a thick cluster of trees. Demiurge knelt, laying Tanya on the ground.

"Hmm. Mana exhaustion?"

"Used...used it all to summon you," Tanya whispered. "Need to sleep."

"I'm afraid we don't have time for that at the moment. Here. I always keep a few mana potions on me, just in case." Demiurge took out a shimmering azure vial from his waistcoat pocket, uncorked it, and gently held it to Tanya's lips. She sucked it down greedily, and then gasped as mana and vitality surged through her veins.

"Thank you," she gasped out. She managed to stay on her feet, groaning slightly as she left his arms. "Urgh. Demiurge. It's good to see you again."

"Again? Ah, yes. That school Lord Ainz has mentioned. I take it you were there as well, in addition to the...others?" Demiurge asked, his tail swishing back and forth in agitation.

"Yes. I hear you paid a visit to Kazuma and his goddess loving brood of idiots." Tanya spoke with an indifferent expression. From what she recalled, Kazuma was a vile lecher, and his companions were just as bad in their own ways. Megumin had been a lunatic bent on nothing but chaos and destruction that would surely end in killing everyone around her, including herself. Darkness a perverse masochist with no self control who brought danger to those around her to satisfy her own urges. Yunyun was a foolish and dangerous mage who'd do horrific things if it meant being praised, and Chris a thief who'd plundered from everyone and expected to be loved for it.

And Aqua. She'd tried to murder Ainz, for no other reason than his race. Truly despicable. And she'd brought endless trials to Tanya. She couldn't recall them all, but she knew she had wanted nothing to do with Aqua, or even to kill her. Her memories on that particular matter were muddled a fair bit. While Tanya hadn't actually sought to slay those idiots, if Ainz wanted them dead, well, that was his affair.

"They're dead, but Aqua is still a threat. We're in the process of pacifying Belzerg and the surrounding kingdoms at the moment, with expected results. I was actually in the middle of hunting down the last of their royal line before I was summoned by my Lord, but that can wait for later. One pathetic slip of a princess won't be much of a threat. But, we're here to talk about you. Tell me, what is it you wanted me to help with? Something about your friend, this Visha?"

"She's been possessed by a god. Being X is what I call him. He's the one who, well, that's not important. He's hated me since before I was born it seems. Tried time and again to kill me, to make me bow down and worship him. I refused. I defeated every one of his champions. I survived the war. And even killed the little puppet he loved to pull the strings with, Mary Sue. He couldn't stand that. He...he took over Visha, and told me that I was cursed. I...I tried to plead, to worship, to get her free, but...he took her anyway. And now...now I don't know what to do."

"A god you say?" Demiurge adjusted his glasses. "Well. I'm something of an expert on killing them. It's not easy though, you know. Even if everyone here is fairly weak, those empowered by a god can hurt me quite badly. We'll have to make this fast then. Where do you believe Visha could be?"

"I don't know. Maybe at her flat? It hasn't even been a day since she was taken, and it shouldn't be hard to track her down, but I don't have my mage gear. I can't just fly around and find her," Tanya said, her hands clenched into fists.

"Not a problem. You're strong, for a human. I think I can teach you the Flight spell," Demiurge waved off the concern. He pressed a finger to Tanya's forehead.

Once more, information coursed through her. This time, not from within, but from Demiurge. She felt the magic enter her. It was alien but...but she could use it. She had to.

"Flight!" Tanya barked, and rose into the air. She grinned. "Well, this changes many things. Let's go hunting." She drew her one of her pistols, flicking the cylinder to a chambered round. It was a US Army Revolver, similar to the Colt Revolver. This one was a .45 caliber model. She'd never used one, but practice made perfect.

It wasn't hard to find Visha at all either. She was right where Tanya expected: At the Cathedral nearest the train station, preaching to adoring little sheep.

"What do we do now then?" Tanya asked. Demiurge had done something to hide his tail, and looked like a normal businessman at the moment. For herself, Tanya had scrubbed the blood from her face and hands and stolen a set of ill-fitting clothes. It annoyed her being so sloppy, but it was temporary at best.

"Hmm. I don't think I can break that possession. But her soul is still in there," Demiurge mused. He glanced at Tanya. "There's one sure way to free her. But you won't like it."

"If it's the only way, then it's the only way," Tanya growled. "What is it?"

Demiurge gave her a vicious smile. "We kill her."

"That is not an option!" Tanya snarled, her arm twitching towards her concealed weapons. "We have to save her!"

"She won't stay dead, of course. We'll simply take her back to Nazerick. My Master can raise her easily enough. He also seems to be fond of you, as if he owed you a favor. I don't know why someone like Lord Ainz considers himself indebted to a pathetic human such as yourself, but I trust in his wisdom."

"He can...return Visha to life?" Tanya asked, feeling sick and hopeful at the same time.

Demiurge nodded. "Easily."

Tanya took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. "If you're lying, I'll kill you first. Then Ainz. You understand?"

"That would be difficult, considering your level, and the fact that Lord Ainz is in another world," Demiurge said slowly, his tone amused.

"Anything can die if you hate it hard enough and don't have anything holding you back." Then Tanya's eyes snapped open. In one smooth motion, she drew her pistol, and fired.

Her first shot was slightly off. It took Visha in the neck instead of the head. Tanya fired again, correcting her aim. This time, it went through Visha's chest. She fell atop the altar she'd been floating over, blood leaking from her mouth as people screamed.

"Out of my way," Tanya spoke as she walked towards the fallen form of her friend. She grabbed Visha's corpse, and grunted as she flipped it over and checked for signs of life.

"She's dead," she declared with a nod, turning to Demiurge. "Now what?"

"The Tomb awaits." Demiurge snapped his fingers. Darkness enveloped Tanya, and she clutched Visha's corpse to her chest.

When she could see again, she was in a large, dimly lit chamber. She looked around, and spied Demiurge standing beside a throne of bone.

Upon which sat the form of Ainz Ooal Gown. The Lord of the Tomb.

"Well?" Tanya demanded, standing, her pistol in her hand. "Can you bring her back?"

Slowly, Ainz stood, taking up the staff that had stood beside him. "I can. She would be returned to life. But a Spell of True Resurrection is costly. To fuel it, I need something potent."

"What? I'll get it, whatever it is, only bring her back!" Tanya demanded.

Slowly, Ainz moved forward, his staff clicking on the black stone of the throne room as Demiurge stalked silently at his side. Tanya forced herself to look up at him when he reached her, nearly fully a meter taller than she was. Her grip on her pistol tightened. She had to save Visha.

Oh god. She had killed Visha. Twice.

"To raise someone in truth requires the blood of a god. I have some on me, as it happens. I was planning on saving it. But, you could pay me back, as it were. Tell me. Would you be willing to undertake the slaughter of gods?"

Tanya blinked for a moment, then threw her head back and laughed. "I would have even if we didn't need their blood!"

"Very well. But I shall not do this on your word alone. You must swear yourself to me, and to my service," Ainz said, extending a bony hand to her. It was encrusted with jeweled rings, each thrumming with eldritch power.

There was no hesitation. Tanya bent and kissed a ring. She wasn't a leader, not really. She needed orders. Someone to follow. Someone to direct her at an enemy. If Ainz would bring back Visha...well. He'd never helped kill any of her soldiers like the Unified States had.

"I, Tanya Von Degurechaff, do swear myself to the service of Ainz Ooal Gown, Overlord of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. I will be your Gottjäger, and bring you the blood of the Being X as payment for saving my...my friend, Visha."

Something more than wind and words escaped from Tanya's mouth, and was sucked into Ainz's staff.

"It is done. Arise, Field Marshal." Then Ainz raised his staff, and his eyes glowed red. "TRUE RESURRECTION!"

Behind Tanya, there was a gasp. She spun, her eyes wide.

Slowly, Visha sat up, clutching her head. "Where...where am I? The light, oh the light! It burns! I can't-" she blinked, swallowing, her eyes focusing again. "Colonel? What-"

Tanya flung herself on Visha, headless of the tears streaming down her face as she cradled Visha in her arms. "It's alright, Visha. You're safe. Being X had you, but you're safe now. He can't hurt you anymore. Not as long as I'm here."

Visha blinked, then, slowly, returned Tanya's hug. "Um, Colonel? I don't mean to bother you, but...but who...what...why is there a skeleton and a devil behind you?"

"Ah." Tanya straightened, falling back into a stance of attention, her hands folding themselves behind her back. "This is our new commander. Ainz Ooal Gown. Beside him is Demiurge, one of his command staff. I have accepted the position of Field Marshal of his forces. I would...I would like to bring you on as my general staff officer, Visha."

"I...see…" Slowly, Visha got to her feet, trembling slightly. "Colonel...Tanya...do you...do you know who these beings are? They look...well, evil."

"Oh, we are quite evil," Demiurge chuckled. "At least, so the gods would say."

"Our mission is the destruction of all the gods," Ainz pronounced. "For too long, they have oppressed and enslaved the mortal races. Just as they did you. They manipulate and bend mortals to their will, causing nought but suffering while expecting back joy and subservience for the honor of being in their presences."

"The war back home? That was caused by Being X, the same so-called deity that possessed you." Tanya snarled, her arms reaching out and clutching Visha reflexively. "He's tried to kill me, again and again, or to force me to bow down and worship him. I refused. So, he took you, Visha. That...that was too much."

"I remember," Visha said, her eyes going wide. She sank back to her knees, clutching at her head. "Oh, piz-dets, I remember! I...I couldn't control myself! It was like...like I was trapped within my own body, my own mind! I couldn't...and then…" she looked up, tears streaming down her face. "You killed me."

It was like the bullet that had hit Visha took Tanya in the chest, and she swayed slightly. She looked away, bile filling her stomach. "I...I could not think of another way. Ainz could resurrect you, free of Being X's taint, but...but to do that...I am sorry."

"Don't...don't be." Tanya looked up again just in time to be wrapped in another hug by Visha. This was most distressing. Tanya hadn't had this much physical contact since...she couldn't remember. She didn't think her own parents in Japan had hugged her this much. "You saved me, Tanya. Thank you. I...I owe you a debt I cannot repay."

Visha stepped back, smiling, and Tanya coughed into her hand. "Well, yes, it was my duty, to ensure the safety of my subordinates. Besides. I couldn't let Being X win. Not even once."

"If you say so, ma'am. But if you're going to kill Being X...count me in. I'll follow you anywhere, Tanya. Even into hell, it seems."

"We've been through hell before. What else was the Western Front?" Tanya said, feeling the old familiar feeling of rage. She spun on her heel, looking back up at Ainz.

"So. How does one go about killing a god?"

"First, you must deprive them of followers," Ainz replied "We're nearly done here in Belzerg. What few humans are left are of no threat now, and will provide Aqua with little devotion. I will send you back to your world. But this time, with an army. Your mission will be simple: Wipe out Being X's followers. Lure the god into the open. Then, I shall show you how to trap and slay a deity."

Tanya nodded slowly.

"All of their followers?" Visha gasped, coming to stand at Tanya's side. "But that...that's most everyone in the world."

"Then they shall have to die," Demiurge said, pushing up his glasses with his index finger. He gave a needle toothed grin to Visha. "Do you have a problem with that."

Visha looked to Tanya. Just as she always did.

"They're nothing but slaves by this point. We'll set them free. Even if it means their deaths," Tanya declared. "This is war. Sometimes, innocents get caught in the crossfire. We'll give them a chance to abandon their faith, as the Articles of War dictate. If they refuse, they're enemy combatants, and must be killed."

"Just like Arene," Visha agreed, looking faintly ill. But she straightened and nodded, then saluted. "Very well, I'm your woman, ma'am. I'll do what needs to be done."

Visha was a good soldier. The very best. She'd grown in the past four years. Tanya smiled at her...friend? Yes. Her friend. How odd. She'd never really had a friend before. But what else would you call someone you were willing to burn a world to the ground for?

Authors Note:

Here's the interlude I promised, featuring everyone's favorite atheist. I may do another interlude before the regular chapters start back up explaining some of the DEEP LORE involving Haruhi and King Kai and just how the Divine Realm works, but that depends on if people are interested and/or if stupid Hurricane Douglas doesn't knock out power for a while.